The yearly award handed out to the Canadian album of the year (based solely on artistic merit and without consideration for sales or genre) has announced its official dates for 2012, including the long and short lists announcements and its gala.

For the first time in its history, the Polaris will be leaving Toronto for its long list announcement, revealing the first round of 40 albums in contention for the prize on June 14 at the Waldorf Hotel in Vancouver, where Polaris listening salons have also been held for the past few months.

The short list of 10 titles will be revealed at the Drake Hotel in Toronto on July 17. The Polaris gala and winner announcement will take place at CTV’s Concert Hall studios at Toronto’s Masonic Temple on September 24.

The winning album, decided by a jury of over 200 music journalists, broadcasters and bloggers, will earn $30,000. Previous winners include Arcade Fire, Karkwa, Fucked Up, Patrick Watson, Caribou and Final Fantasy.

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